According to helps you show where information comes from in writing. However, repeating it can make formal writing feel dull or repetitive. Fortunately, other ways to say according to can add variety and clarity. These phrase alternatives can also match different tones, contexts, and audiences.
Choosing the right alternative phrase depends on your source, purpose, and point of view. For example, professional writing may need precise wording and clear source attribution. Meanwhile, casual writing often benefits from natural wording and a friendly tone. This guide explores useful alternatives for articles, essays, reports, emails, and conversations.
Synonyms for “According To”
- As stated by
- As reported by
- As noted by
- As described by
- As explained by
- Based on
- Per
- In the words of
- In the view of
- From the perspective of
- As indicated by
- As documented by
- As outlined by
- Citing
- In accordance with
What Does “According To” Mean?
According to usually means that information comes from a particular source, person, document, authority, or viewpoint.
For example:
According to the manager, the meeting starts at 10 a.m.
Here, the speaker is not necessarily presenting the meeting time as personal knowledge. Instead, they are making it clear that the manager is the source of the information.
The phrase can also introduce a person’s opinion, interpretation, or perspective:
According to Sarah, the project needs more time.
In this sentence, the statement reflects Sarah’s view rather than an established fact.
It can also mean in agreement with a rule, plan, or system:
The equipment was installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
This second meaning is important because not every alternative to “according to” works in every situation. As stated by works well for attribution, for example, but it cannot always replace “according to” when you mean “in compliance with.”
The expression is common in academic writing, journalism, workplace communication, reports, emails, conversations, and everyday speech. The best replacement depends on whether you are identifying a source, emphasizing a viewpoint, referring to evidence, or describing compliance with instructions.
When to Use “According To”
According to is a flexible phrase that works in both everyday and formal communication.
You can use it when:
- Referring to something someone said
- Attributing information to a report or organization
- Introducing someone’s opinion or perspective
- Referring to information in a document
- Explaining what a rule, policy, or instruction requires
For example:
According to the email, the deadline has been extended.
According to my brother, the restaurant closes at nine.
According to company policy, employees must submit the form by Friday.
It works naturally with friends, family, coworkers, managers, teachers, clients, and formal sources.
The main reason to choose another expression is usually precision or variety. “According to” is neutral, but another phrase may tell the reader more about the source. As reported by emphasizes reporting. In the view of emphasizes an opinion. Based on emphasizes evidence or information used to reach a conclusion. Per is short and efficient, especially in business writing.
Is It Professional or Polite to Say “According To”?
Yes. According to is generally professional, polite, neutral, and grammatically appropriate.
It is especially common in:
- Business emails
- Reports
- Academic writing
- Presentations
- News writing
- Workplace conversations
- Formal correspondence
For example:
According to the latest report, sales increased during the second quarter.
The phrase itself is not rude or overly casual. However, context and wording around it can affect how the sentence feels.
Compare:
According to you, I made the mistake.
with:
Based on your explanation, I understand where the issue occurred.
The first may sound confrontational, even though “according to” is grammatically correct. The second sounds more measured.
When you want to sound particularly formal, as stated by, as documented by, or as reported by may work better. When you want to emphasize someone’s opinion without sounding argumentative, in the view of can be useful.
1. As Stated By
As stated by is one of the clearest formal alternatives to according to when you are referring to something a person, organization, or source explicitly said. It puts attention on the actual statement rather than simply identifying the source.
This phrase works particularly well in reports, academic writing, official documents, and professional communication. It can sound more formal than “according to,” so it may feel unnecessarily stiff in a casual text to a friend.
It is especially useful when the exact wording or position of the source matters. For example, if a company representative has officially given a position, “as stated by” makes that attribution clear.
Scenario
Scenario: You are writing a workplace report and need to attribute a specific statement to a department manager without making it sound like your own claim.
Examples
- As stated by the director, the new policy will take effect next month.
- As stated by the manufacturer, the device should be stored in a dry location.
- As stated by the professor, the assignment must be submitted electronically.
- The employee was eligible for the benefit, as stated by the company’s handbook.
- As stated by the witness, the meeting began shortly after noon.
Tone
Formal, professional, precise, and neutral.
Explanation
“As stated by” directly connects information to something a source explicitly said or wrote. It is therefore stronger when you want to emphasize a stated position rather than a general source of information.
It is not always interchangeable with “according to.” If the information comes from data rather than a statement, based on or as indicated by may be more natural.
Best Use
Best Use: Formal reports, academic writing, official statements, workplace documentation, and situations where a source’s exact position matters.
2. As Reported By
As reported by is particularly useful when the information comes from news coverage, journalism, research reporting, an organization, or another reporting source. It highlights that the information has been communicated or reported by someone.
Unlike the neutral “according to,” this expression strongly suggests that the source is reporting information rather than simply expressing an opinion. That makes it a natural choice for articles, news summaries, professional reports, and research-related writing.
It can also create useful distance between the writer and the claim. Instead of presenting information as independently verified fact, you make clear where the report originated.
Scenario
Scenario: You are summarizing information from a news organization in a workplace briefing and want to make the source clear.
Examples
- As reported by local news outlets, the bridge will reopen tomorrow.
- As reported by the company, revenue increased during the final quarter.
- As reported by several industry publications, demand has grown significantly.
- The team reached the final stage, as reported by the tournament organizers.
- As reported by the newspaper, the investigation is still ongoing.
Tone
Professional, factual, formal, and source-focused.
Explanation
“As reported by” emphasizes the act of reporting. It is therefore more specific than “according to” when your source has published or communicated information.
It is not the best choice for someone’s private opinion. Saying “as reported by my friend” would sound unusual unless your friend is actually reporting information in a formal context.
Best Use
Best Use: News articles, reports, professional summaries, journalism, organizational announcements, and information attributed to published sources.
Read More: 15 Other Ways to Say ‘You Look Handsome’ (With Examples)
3. As Noted By
As noted by is a polished way to draw attention to something that a person or source has observed, mentioned, or pointed out. It is especially useful when the source has made an observation rather than issued a formal statement.
The phrase works well in academic, professional, and analytical writing. It often feels slightly more understated than “as stated by.” Instead of emphasizing a direct declaration, it highlights an observation or detail that deserves attention.
This makes it helpful when building an argument or connecting your point to something previously observed.
Scenario
Scenario: You are writing an analytical report and want to acknowledge an important observation made by a researcher.
Examples
- As noted by the researcher, customer behavior has changed considerably.
- As noted by our supervisor, the current process creates unnecessary delays.
- Several risks remain, as noted by the audit team.
- As noted by the author, the two approaches produce different results.
- The deadline may need to be reconsidered, as noted by the project coordinator.
Tone
Professional, analytical, respectful, and measured.
Explanation
“As noted by” works best when the source has pointed something out. It does not necessarily suggest that the person formally announced the information.
It is a good alternative when you want your writing to sound thoughtful without becoming overly formal.
Best Use
Best Use: Essays, reports, research writing, workplace analysis, reviews, and discussions of observations or important details.
4. As Described By
As described by is useful when you are referring to the way a person, document, witness, author, or source describes something. It focuses on the source’s portrayal or account.
This phrase is especially valuable when the exact subject is open to interpretation. For example, a person might describe an event differently from another person. “As described by” makes it clear that you are presenting that particular description, not necessarily an objective account.
It is common in academic writing, storytelling, reports, reviews, and discussions of personal accounts.
Scenario
Scenario: You are summarizing how a witness characterized an event without suggesting that the witness’s description is the only possible interpretation.
Examples
- As described by the witness, the situation developed very quickly.
- The neighborhood is quieter than described by the travel guide.
- As described by the author, the character is deeply conflicted.
- The process is straightforward, as described by the instructions.
- As described by several employees, the new system is easier to use.
Tone
Descriptive, neutral, analytical, and careful.
Explanation
“As described by” emphasizes the way something was portrayed. This is useful when the wording or characterization itself matters.
It differs from “according to” because it does more than identify a source. It draws attention to the source’s description or account.
Best Use
Best Use: Reviews, essays, reports, witness accounts, literary analysis, travel writing, and descriptions of experiences.
5. As Explained By
As explained by is a natural alternative when a person has clarified, taught, or provided a reason for something. It is particularly appropriate when the source is acting as an explainer rather than simply providing information.
This expression works well in educational, professional, and conversational contexts. It can make writing feel more connected and purposeful because it suggests that the source helped explain why or how something works.
It is often more specific than “according to,” especially when the source has provided reasoning.
Scenario
Scenario: You are explaining a complicated workplace procedure and want to credit the manager who clarified how the process works.
Examples
- As explained by the instructor, the two methods have different purposes.
- The delay occurred because of a technical issue, as explained by the engineer.
- As explained by our accountant, the additional charge is required by the contract.
- The system works differently, as explained by the technical team.
- As explained by the teacher, practice is essential for developing fluency.
Tone
Clear, professional, educational, and respectful.
Explanation
“As explained by” is best when the source has given an explanation. It can make your writing more precise because it identifies not merely where information came from but how it was communicated.
For simple source attribution, “according to” may be shorter. For an explanation or reason, however, this alternative is often more informative.
Best Use
Best Use: Educational writing, instructions, workplace communication, technical explanations, and discussions involving reasons or processes.
6. Based On
Based on is one of the most useful alternatives when your statement is drawn from evidence, information, research, observations, or available facts.
Unlike “according to,” it does not necessarily identify a person as the source. Instead, it emphasizes the foundation for a conclusion or judgment.
This distinction matters. “According to the manager” means the manager is the source. “Based on the manager’s report” means your conclusion is formed from information contained in that report.
It works in professional writing, academic work, analysis, everyday conversation, and decision-making.
Scenario
Scenario: You are making a recommendation after reviewing sales figures and customer feedback.
Examples
- Based on the available data, we should postpone the launch.
- Based on your description, the issue appears to be technical.
- Based on customer feedback, the new design needs some changes.
- Based on the evidence presented, the committee approved the proposal.
- Based on recent performance, the team is ready for the next stage.
Tone
Analytical, professional, logical, and neutral.
Explanation
“Based on” is not a perfect synonym for “according to.” It is a contextual alternative when you want to emphasize the evidence or information supporting a conclusion.
Use it when the important idea is “this conclusion comes from these facts or materials.”
Best Use
Best Use: Analysis, reports, research, decision-making, recommendations, workplace communication, and evidence-based statements.
7. Per
Per is a short and efficient alternative to “according to,” particularly in business communication, policies, instructions, and professional writing.
It usually means in accordance with or as stated in a particular source.
For example:
Per the contract, payment is due within 30 days.
This is concise and common in workplace language. However, it can sound somewhat corporate or bureaucratic, especially in casual conversation. Saying “Per my friend, the restaurant is closed” would sound unnatural.
Because it is so brief, “per” is best used when the source is obvious and the message benefits from concise wording.
Scenario
Scenario: You are sending a short workplace email about a deadline specified in a contract.
Examples
- Per the contract, payment is due by Friday.
- Per company policy, all visitors must sign in.
- Per your request, I have attached the revised document.
- Per the schedule, the meeting begins at 2 p.m.
- Per the instructions, the form must be completed in full.
Tone
Concise, professional, formal, and businesslike.
Explanation
“Per” is efficient but can feel less conversational than “according to.” It is especially natural before policies, contracts, requests, schedules, instructions, and established procedures.
It is not usually the warmest choice for personal communication.
Best Use
Best Use: Business emails, contracts, workplace policies, schedules, instructions, and concise professional messages.
8. In the Words Of
In the words of is a more expressive alternative that draws attention to the actual language used by a person. It is especially useful when someone’s phrasing is memorable, meaningful, or worth highlighting.
Unlike “according to,” this expression often suggests that you are about to present or closely paraphrase the person’s own wording.
It works well in speeches, essays, articles, presentations, personal writing, and thoughtful conversations. It can sound warmer and more engaging than a straightforward source attribution.
Scenario
Scenario: You are writing an article and want to introduce a memorable statement from a respected teacher.
Examples
- In the words of our teacher, “Small improvements create lasting progress.”
- In the words of the director, the team needs “focus, patience, and consistency.”
- In the words of my grandfather, preparation makes difficult tasks easier.
- In the words of the author, the experience changed her understanding of success.
- In the words of the coach, the players must trust the process.
Tone
Expressive, respectful, reflective, and sometimes inspirational.
Explanation
“In the words of” is more focused on someone’s wording than “according to.” It is therefore particularly effective when you want the source’s voice to remain visible.
It should not be used simply because you need a synonym. Choose it when the person’s expression itself matters.
Best Use
Best Use: Quotations, speeches, essays, articles, presentations, reflective writing, and memorable statements.
9. In the View Of
In the View Of is useful when you specifically want to identify someone’s opinion, judgment, or interpretation.
This distinction makes it valuable in situations where presenting an opinion as objective fact could be misleading. For example, “In the view of the committee” clearly signals that the following statement represents the committee’s position.
The phrase is more formal than everyday alternatives such as “in my opinion.” It works particularly well in academic, legal, business, and analytical contexts.
Scenario
Scenario: You are writing a report that compares different opinions about a proposed workplace policy.
Examples
- In the view of the committee, the proposal requires further review.
- In the view of many researchers, the issue is more complex than it first appears.
- In the view of the manager, the current system remains effective.
- In the view of the author, technology should support rather than replace human judgment.
- In the view of the board, the investment carries manageable risks.
Tone
Formal, analytical, respectful, and objective-sounding.
Explanation
“In the view of” is not simply a general replacement for “according to.” It is specifically valuable when the information represents a perspective or opinion.
Use it when you want readers to understand that the statement belongs to a particular viewpoint.
Best Use
Best Use: Formal reports, academic writing, professional analysis, policy discussions, and statements of opinion.
10. From the Perspective Of
From the perspective of emphasizes a particular point of view, experience, or way of seeing an issue. It is useful when different people or groups may interpret the same situation differently.
This phrase is longer than “according to,” but it provides more nuance. It tells the reader that you are deliberately examining an issue through a specific person’s or group’s lens.
It is common in academic writing, workplace discussions, social analysis, interviews, and reflective writing.
Scenario
Scenario: You are discussing a new workplace policy and want to distinguish how managers and employees may experience it differently.
Examples
- From the perspective of employees, the new schedule may be difficult to manage.
- From the perspective of the customer, the checkout process is unnecessarily complicated.
- From the perspective of the designer, simplicity was the main goal.
- From the perspective of a small business, the additional cost may be significant.
- From the perspective of the students, the revised timetable offers more flexibility.
Tone
Thoughtful, analytical, balanced, and professional.
Explanation
This phrase emphasizes perspective rather than source attribution. It is therefore especially helpful when you are comparing viewpoints.
It would be excessive in a simple sentence such as “According to John, the store closes at five.” In that case, “John said the store closes at five” or “As stated by John” is more direct.
Best Use
Best Use: Comparing viewpoints, essays, workplace discussions, research, social analysis, and situations involving different experiences.
11. As Indicated By
As Indicated By is a useful formal alternative when information is shown, suggested, demonstrated, or signaled by evidence.
It is particularly appropriate when your source is not necessarily a person. Charts, figures, results, records, data, and reports can all indicate something.
That makes it different from “as stated by,” which requires a statement or source that communicates information directly.
Scenario
Scenario: You are preparing a business report and need to explain what the latest sales figures suggest.
Examples
- As indicated by the latest figures, demand has increased.
- As indicated by the survey results, customers value convenience.
- As indicated by the chart, production peaked in June.
- The system may need additional capacity, as indicated by recent usage data.
- As indicated by the test results, the new process is more efficient.
Tone
Formal, analytical, evidence-focused, and professional.
Explanation
“As indicated by” works best when the source provides evidence or signals a conclusion rather than simply making a statement.
It is a strong choice for reports because it makes the relationship between evidence and conclusion clear.
Best Use
Best Use: Data analysis, business reports, research, charts, surveys, test results, and evidence-based writing.
12. As Documented By
As Documented By is a highly useful formal expression when information has been recorded in writing or preserved in an official record.
It is more specific than “according to” because it points to documentation as the source. This makes it appropriate for professional records, reports, case files, historical documents, audits, and administrative communication.
It can sound too formal for ordinary conversation, but in documentation-heavy settings, that precision is helpful.
Scenario
Scenario: You are preparing an administrative report and need to refer to information contained in official records.
Examples
- As documented by the audit team, the issue occurred twice.
- As documented by the hospital records, the appointment was rescheduled.
- The payment was received on Monday, as documented by the transaction record.
- As documented by previous reports, the problem has occurred before.
- The equipment was inspected last month, as documented by the maintenance log.
Tone
Formal, precise, official, and record-focused.
Explanation
“As documented by” specifically points to written or recorded evidence. It is therefore a poor choice when the source is simply someone’s casual statement.
If you are referring to a document, record, log, report, or official file, however, this phrase can be much more precise than “according to.”
Best Use
Best Use: Official records, audits, administrative reports, legal or compliance documentation, maintenance logs, and formal workplace writing.
13. As Outlined By
As Outlined By works well when a person or document has presented the main points, structure, steps, or plan of something.
It is particularly useful for proposals, strategies, procedures, policies, project plans, presentations, and written frameworks.
Unlike “according to,” it suggests that the source has laid out a structure or set of points. That makes it a contextual alternative rather than a universal synonym.
Scenario
Scenario: You are summarizing a project plan and want to refer to the steps previously presented by the project manager.
Examples
- As outlined by the project manager, the first phase will begin next week.
- As outlined by the proposal, the project has three main stages.
- The process will follow the steps as outlined by the department.
- As outlined by the instructor, the course includes four major assignments.
- The strategy, as outlined by the leadership team, focuses on long-term growth.
Tone
Professional, organized, formal, and structured.
Explanation
“As outlined by” is most natural when the source has provided a plan, framework, structure, or set of key points.
It would be less natural for a simple personal statement. For example, “As outlined by John, he likes coffee” does not work because John is not outlining a plan or structure.
Best Use
Best Use: Project plans, proposals, policies, strategies, procedures, presentations, and structured information.
14. Citing
Citing can introduce a source when you are explaining that someone has referred to, quoted, or used another source as support. It is especially common in academic, journalistic, and analytical writing.
However, it is important to understand that citing is not a direct grammatical substitute for “according to” in every sentence. It describes the act of referring to a source, so the sentence structure often changes.
For example:
Citing recent research, the author argues that the approach is effective.
This means the author uses research to support an argument. It does not simply mean “according to recent research.”
Scenario
Scenario: You are writing an academic or analytical paragraph and want to show that an author supports an argument by referring to published research.
Examples
- Citing recent research, the author argues that the method is effective.
- Citing company records, the report challenges the original estimate.
- The article supports its conclusion by citing several independent studies.
- Citing official data, the analyst questioned the earlier prediction.
- The writer makes this point while citing evidence from multiple sources.
Tone
Academic, analytical, formal, and evidence-oriented.
Explanation
“Citing” focuses on source use, not merely source attribution. It is therefore especially useful when you are explaining how evidence supports an argument.
Do not replace every instance of “according to” with “citing.” The grammar and meaning can change.
Best Use
Best Use: Academic essays, research papers, journalism, analytical articles, reports, and evidence-based arguments.
15. In Accordance With
In Accordance With is a formal expression meaning in agreement with, following, or consistent with a rule, policy, instruction, agreement, or standard.
This is an important distinction. It is not normally used to attribute someone’s statement or opinion.
For example:
In accordance with company policy, employees must submit the form by Friday.
Here, the phrase means the action follows a policy or requirement.
You would not normally say:
In accordance with Sarah, the meeting starts at ten.
For that meaning, “according to Sarah” or “as stated by Sarah” is appropriate.
Scenario
Scenario: You are writing a formal workplace notice explaining that a procedure must follow an established company policy.
Examples
- The documents were prepared in accordance with company policy.
- Employees must act in accordance with safety regulations.
- The work was completed in accordance with the approved plan.
- The payment was processed in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
- All applications must be reviewed in accordance with the stated guidelines.
Tone
Formal, official, professional, and authoritative.
Explanation
“In accordance with” is a contextual alternative for the “following a rule or requirement” meaning of “according to.”
It is especially useful in official or compliance-related writing. It should not be used when you simply want to attribute an opinion, quotation, or piece of information to a person.
Best Use
Best Use: Policies, regulations, contracts, instructions, official notices, compliance documents, and formal workplace communication.
FAQs
What is the best alternative to “according to”?
There is no single best alternative. As stated by suits direct statements, while based on fits evidence and as reported by fits reported information.
Which alternative to “according to” sounds most professional?
As stated by, as documented by, and as indicated by work well in professional writing. Per can also suit concise workplace communication.
What is a good alternative to “according to” in casual writing?
For casual writing, simple phrases such as “as you mentioned” often sound more natural. According to itself also works well in friendly communication.
Can I use these alternatives in professional emails?
Yes. Choose the phrase based on your context and meaning. Per, as noted by, and based on can work well in professional emails.
Are all alternatives to “according to” exact synonyms?
No. Some phrase alternatives change the meaning slightly. Based on emphasizes evidence, while from the perspective of emphasizes a viewpoint, and in accordance with refers to rules or requirements.
Conclusion
Choosing other ways to say according to works best when the wording matches your source, meaning, and context. Use as stated by for direct statements, based on for evidence, as reported by for reported information, and in the view of for opinions or viewpoints. Ultimately, the right phrase alternatives improve clarity, precision, and natural communication without forcing unnecessary changes.
